Public access to the Kiewa River is taking another step towards reality with the establishment of a working party.
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The group will help workshop ideas for the old NECMA depot Indigo Council purchased.
It comes after more than 70 people shared their views during community consultation in March.
Councillor Peter Croucher said a lot of work had gone on behind the scenes since then, such as soil testing, to get to a point where masterplanning could start.
"Access to the river was the number one priority and this site is a bonus," he said.
"It's got sheds that will be quite valuable for community uses.
"The site has had a bit of a tidy-up."
While some ideas for sheds at 37 Kiewa East Road have been put forward, access for swimming is the most important aspect the community want developed before any other major work commences on the site.
Council committed to providing community access to the river as part of the 2018 Kiewa Tangambalanga Placemaking Strategy, and it follows a decades-long push.
Jack Britton said fellow locals had always wanted public access to the "beautiful" river their town is named after.
"I've been pushing for it for a long time, and Council tried to buy next door - it's good to see it on the move," he said.
"I've had river access all of my life, because I know everyone on the river, but others don't.
"River access and a bit of parking is the main thing.
"You can clean it up so you can throw a fishing line in, or you could sit and have a picnic.
"Then, a couple hundred metres' walk from this site, there's beautiful beaches in a little reserve.
"You could have a little walking track to that area."
Mr Britton said the former NECMA sheds held a lot of potential.
"There were some great ideas - everything from a men's shed to table tennis," he said.
"I'm involved in community carols, and it might one day even be used for that."
The most debated idea amongst community members was overnight camping and caravanning.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Locals' thoughts will now be consolidated into a masterplan for the site and shared with the community to gain further feedback.
Council has engaged a landscape architect and is looking for working party members to help develop the masterplan.
Expressions of interest will close on Friday - visit the council's website for information.
